Local artist at Spier art show

2008-09-15 13:50

Gcina Ntsaluba

Volksrust - Mpumalanga-born artist, Sicelo Ziqubu, is among the top 100 artists who are exhibiting their work at the prestigious Spier Contemporary art exhibition in Stellenbosch.

The 33-year-old artist, who grew up in Volksrust, said it was a huge privilege and great achievement for him to be named in the top 100, as there had been 2 500 entries.

"I did not believe it at first, but this is going to make me work even harder now," he said.

Ziqubu turns what people disregard as waste material into works of art.

He uses cardboard, plastic and tins.

His entry for the Spier exhibition is a paper chair and foot stool inspired by the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.

He said that through his work, he hopes to encourage South Africans to preserve and maintain a clean environment in their communities.

Nurtured by his father

As young boy, Sicelo's love for art was nurtured by his father, a prison warder who used to bring him artworks made by prisoners.

Sicelo, who now lives in Charlestown near Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, has had many exhibitions at the Carnegie Art Gallery in Newcastle where he was a gallery assistant.

He has also had exhibitions at the Stadthof Zwolle Museum in the Netherlands, at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg and at the Johannesburg Art Gallery.

The Spier Contemporary art exhibition is a biennial exhibition of South African art that includes photography, sculptures, video installation and performance art.

The exhibition is currently being held at the Durban Art Gallery until November 1.

- African Eye